The rocky tenure of former Kansas City manager Brian Platt has finally ended for good with a contract settlement of $192,000.
"The Parties mutually desire to avoid the time and expense of litigation," the document said. The settlement, which was finalized at the end of September, provides Platt with a "Neutral Job Reference" as he searches for work.
It also said neither Platt nor the city admits any wrongdoing and both sides promise to not speak ill of each other.
"It is their desire not to engage in any actions which would negatively impact the reputation of the other," according to the document, which KCUR obtained through a Missouri Sunshine Law request.
The settlement agreement also mentions a "Confidential Severance Agreement" but does not describe what that is, what is in it or whether there is additional money involved.
Platt was fired unanimously by Kansas City Council in March, three weeks after he was suspended with pay, just after the city lost a whistleblower lawsuit that cost it nearly $1 million.
Mayor Quinton Lucas said the whistleblower case, as well as other lawsuits, damaged the city's reputation. He said Platt was ineffective at handling personnel matters and supervising employees.
Lucas also said City Council lost confidence in Platt’s leadership abilities. He said Platt failed to accept constructive criticism and did not communicate well with city staff and elected officials.
Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw said after Platt was fired that he lost the confidence of city staff and the community.
“We want transparency in our government and the concerns that arose recently was a major concern,” Parks-Shaw said in May.
